Universal mounting clip for siding strips installed in a horizontal overlapping pattern

ABSTRACT

A universal mounting clip for installation of siding strips in a horizontal, overlapping pattern includes a unitized clip body of U-shaped cross section having a front panel, a rear panel, and an interconnecting top panel. The clip body can be made of a structural metal, a structural thermoplastic compound, or a composite material. The front panel of each clip also has at least one adhesive pad that will bond the front panel of the clip to the back side of the next overlapping siding strip. The universal siding installation clip fits over a top edge of the siding strip, and a securing screw is run through the aperture in the front panel of the clip, through the siding strip, and through an opening in the rear panel, and then into the sheathing material, thereby spacing the siding strip from the sheathing material and subsequently-installed siding strips.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to hardware and methods for installing siding made of wood, an engineered wood product, or cementious material over an underlying layer of plywood, waferboard or other wood-fiber-based sheathing material. More particularly, the invention relates to clips for securing siding strips to the sheathing in an overlapping horizontal pattern, with the clips providing an air space between the siding material and the sheathing material, as well as eliminating the need for face nailing of siding strips to the sheathing material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Siding strips that are attached to underlying sheathing in a horizontal, overlapping pattern is typically intended to simulate traditional wood lap siding. One of the problems associated with conventional installation methods for of this type of siding is that the siding is typically face-nailed or screwed to the sheathing ever. Thus each strip of siding material has an upper and a lower row of fasteners, with each pair of adjacent fasteners on the same row being 16 inches apart. Except for the top-most run, the upper row of fasteners on each strip is covered by the next siding strip immediately thereabove. As the bottom row of fasteners-whether they be nails or screws—is exposed, each aperture in the siding through which a fastener passes provides a route for entrance of moisture. A second problem associated with conventional installation methods for horizontally-oriented siding strips is that there is no air gap between the siding and the underlying sheathing, and no effective way for trapped spaces between the siding strips and the sheathing layer to breathe. Thus, any moisture that manages to work its way behind the siding—whether through the apertures of the exposed, face-nailed fasteners, through improperly-caulked butt joints in the siding, or through improperly-caulked transitions between siding strips and trim pieces—will ultimately damage the sheathing through the action of rot and mildew.

Any modification to conventional installatiion methods which would solve the aforestated problems must not do so at the expense of long-term strength and durability of the structure. In addition, any modified structure must still be able to withstand extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations, gale-force wind loads, and the effects of salt spray and industrial pollution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a universal siding installation clip that not only eliminates the problem of exposed face-nailing on siding strips installed in a horizontally-oriented, overlapping pattern, but also provides a ventillation gaps between not only the siding strips and the underlying sheathing layer, but the overlapped siding strips, as well. Each clip is of U-shaped cross section, and has a front panel, a rear panel, and an interconnecting top panel. Each clip is of unitary construction, and also has coaxially-aligned apertures in the front and rear panels, or alternatively an aperture in the front panel and a slot in the rear panel for receiving a single securing screw. The clips can be made of a metal such as aluminum or steel, a tough injection-molded polymer structural thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC), or a composite material such as a structural thermoplastic compound in which is embedded structural glass or carbon fibers.

The universal siding installation clip fits over a top edge of the siding strip, and a securing screw is run through the aperture in the front panel of the clip, through the siding strip, through the aperture or slot in the rear panel, and then into the sheathing material. The front panel of each clip also has at least one adhesive pad that will bond the front panel of the clip to the back side of the next overlapping siding strip. The adhesive pad is die cut from 3M VHB adhesive tape. This type of adhesive is sufficiently strong to permanently adhere glass panes, as well as marble, granite and other stone tiles to the sides of skyscrappers. Only a small surface area is required for the adhesive pads, as the loads imposed thereon will be intermittent (e.g., loads from wind gusts), rather than constant. The universal installation clips are supplied to suppliers with a rear face of the adhesive pad(s) permanently attached to the front panel of the clip. The front face of the adhesive is covered with a protector sheet, which is removed either just before it is installed or just before the very next overlapping siding strip is installed.

The use of these universal installation clips positions the siding away from the sheathing material and separates siding strips from each other by about one-eighth of an inch. The separation is sufficiently small to prevent the entry of yellow jackets, other wasps and bees into the voids which are created. Installation of siding using the universal siding installation clip provides a system of ventillation that prevents deterioration of the underlying sheathing layer and greatly reduces surface preparation costs prior to painting for siding that has been installed. Universal siding installation clips are installed along the upper edge of siding strips at standard 16-inch intervals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric exploded front/top/right-side view of a first embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel attached to the rear panel by the interconnecting panel thereof, and the adhesive pad shown unattached from the front panel;

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear/top/right-side view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the rear panel and the interconnection panel thereof;

FIG. 3 is an isometric front/top/right-side view of a first embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel, the adhesive pad attached to the front panel, and the interconnecting panel thereof;

FIG. 4 is front elevational view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 6 is a right-side elevational view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment universal siding installation clip, taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric front/bottom/left-side view of a second embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel thereof, the front panel having a pair of adhesive pads ready for attachment thereto;

FIG. 11 is an exploded bottom plan view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 12 is an isometric rear/bottom/left-side view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the rear panel thereof;

FIG. 13 is a isometric front/bottom/left-side view of a second embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel thereof to which are attached a pair of adhesive pads;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 15 is front elevational view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 16 is a left-side elevational view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 18 is an isometric exploded front/top/right-side view of a third embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel attached to the rear panel by the interconnecting panel thereof, and the adhesive pad shown unattached from the front panel;

FIG. 19 is an isometric rear/top/right-side view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the rear panel and the interconnection panel thereof;

FIG. 20 is an isometric front/top/right-side view of a third embodiment universal siding installation clip, showing primarily the front panel, the adhesive pad attached to the front panel, and the interconnecting panel thereof;

FIG. 21 is front elevational view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 22 is a rear elevational view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 23 is a right-side elevational view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip;

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment universal siding installation clip; and

FIG. 26 is a side elevational, partial-cross sectional view of an assembly consisting of an exterior wall and siding strips installed in combination with multiple universal siding installation clips.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing FIGS. 1 to 26. It should be understood that the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are meant to be merely illustrative of the invention. The first embodiment universal siding installation clip is shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 9; the second embodiment universal siding installation clip is shown in drawing FIGS. 10 through 17; and the third embodiment universal siding installation clip is shown in drawing FIGS. 18 through 25.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the first embodiment universal siding installation clip 100 includes a monolithic, or single-piece, clip body 101 having a front panel 101F to which a double-stick adhesive pad 102 will be adhered, a rear panel 101R, and a top panel 101T, which interconnects the front and rear panels. It will be noted that the rear panel 101R is evenly tapered, with the lower edge 103 being substantially thicker than the upper portion 104 which joins the top panel 101T. The reason for the tapered rear panel will be apparent when FIG. 26 is hereafter described. The clip body can be made of a metal such as aluminum or steel, a tough injection-molded polymer structural thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC), or a composite material such as a structural thermoplastic compound in which is embedded structural glass or carbon fibers. It will be noted that the front panel 101F of the clip body 101 has a planar recessed region 105 to which the double-stick adhesive pad 102 is adhered. It will be further noted that the clip body 101 is of generally U-shaped cross section so that it can fit over the top edge of a siding strip. The front panel 101F is also equipped with a counter-sunk aperture 106 into which a flat-head installation screw can be installed so that it passes through the siding strip and is secured into wood-fiber backing material of an exterior wall. The double-stick adhesive pad 102 has a notch 107, which provides access to the counter-sunk aperture 106.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the rear panel 101R has a notch 108 through which the flat-head installation screw can pass. It should be clear that a second aperture, or other such opening can be substituted for the notch 108.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the double-stick adhesive pad 102 is shown adhered to the front panel 101F of the clip body 101.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 8, the first embodiment universal siding installation clip 100 is shown in various projectional views. It will be noted that the double-stick adhesive pad 102 extends outwardly from the front panel 101F so that it can adhere to an overlapping sliding strip. It should be mentioned that the outer surface of the double-stick adhesive pad 102 is covered with an easily-removable protector sheet (not shown) that protects the outer surface of the adhesive pad 102 from dust, dirt, oils, and other contaminants from the time of manufacture until just before the overlapping siding strip is installed. The protector sheet on each siding installation clip 100 associated with a single siding strip is removed just before an overlapping siding strip is installed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the first embodiment universal siding installation clip 100 is shown in a cross-sectional view taken through the axis of the counter-sunk screw aperture 106. The U-shaped cross section of the clip 100 is clearly visible in both FIG. 9 and FIG. 8. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the gap 109 between the front panel 101F and the rear panel 101R can be adjusted to accommodate siding material of varying thickness. Most siding material varies in thickness between about 0.375 inch to about 0.75 inch. This, of course, would require a different mold for producing clips of a particular size.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second embodiment universal siding installation clip 200 includes a monolithic, or single-piece, clip body 201 having a front panel 201F to which a pair of circular double-stick adhesive pads 202A and 202B will be adhered, a rear panel 201R, and a top panel 201T, which interconnects the front and rear panels. It will be noted that the rear panel 201R is evenly tapered, with a lower portion 203 being substantially thicker than an upper portion 204 which joins the top panel 201T. The reason for the tapered rear panel will be apparent when FIG. 26 is hereafter described. The clip body 201 can be made of a tough, injection-molded polymer structural thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC), or a composite material such as a structural thermoplastic compound in which is embedded structural glass or carbon fibers. It will be noted that the front panel 201F of the clip body 201 has a pair of planar recessed regions 205A and 205B to which the double-stick adhesive pads 202A and 202B are respectively adhered. It will be further noted that the clip body 201 is of generally U-shaped cross section so that it can fit over the top edge of a siding strip. The front panel 201F is also equipped with a counter-sunk aperture 206 into which a flat-head intallation screw can be installed so that it passes through the siding strip and is secured into wood-fiber backing material of an exterior wall. It will be noted that the counter-sunk aperture 206 is positioned between the two planar recessed regions 205A and 205B. The rear panel 201R has a notch 207 through which the flat-head installation screw can pass. It should be clear that a second aperture, or other such opening can be substituted for the notch 207.

Referring now to the isometric view of FIGS. 12 and 13, the second embodiment universal siding installation clip 200 has beveled regions 208 and 209 on the inner edges of the front and rear panels, 201F and respectively, which are farthest from the top panel 201T. These beveled regions 208 and 209 faciliate the installation of the clip 200 over the top edge of a siding strip.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 through 17, the second embodiment universal siding installation clip 200 is shown in various projectional views. It will be noted that the double-stick adhesive pads 202A and 202B extend outwardly from the front panel 201F so that they can adhere to an overlapping sliding strip. It should be mentioned that the outer surface of each double-stick adhesive pad 202A and 202B is covered with an easily-removable protector sheet (not shown) that protects the outer surface of the adhesive pads 202A and 202B from dust, dirt, oils, and other contaminants from the time of manufacture until just before the overlapping siding strip is installed. The protector sheet on each siding installation clip 200 associated with a single siding strip is removed just before an overlapping siding strip is installed. In the side view of FIG. 16, it will be noted that the clip body 201 is designed so that the bottom edges of the front panel 201F and the rear panel 201R must be spread apart slightly in order to install the clip 200 on the upper edge of a siding strip. This feature maintains each clip 200 properly positioned on the strip until a screw can be installed, which not only secured the clip 200 to the siding strip, but both the clip 200 and sliding strip to the wood-fiber backing material of the wall. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the gap 210 between the front panel 201F and the rear panel 201R can be adjusted to accommodate siding material of varying thickness. Most siding material varies in thickness between about 0.375 inch to about 0.75 inch. This, of course, would require a different mold for producing clips of a particular size.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the third embodiment universal siding installation clip 300 includes a monolithic, or single-piece, clip body 301 having a front panel 301F to which a double-stick adhesive pad 302 will be adhered, a rear panel 301R, and a top panel 301T, which interconnects the front and rear panels. It will be noted that the rear panel 301R is corrugated, that the corrugations increase in depth from the top portion 304 of the rear panel 301R to the lower portion 305 thereof, and that the corrugations effectively increase the thickness of the lower portion 305 of the rear panel 301R. The reason for the increased thickness of the lower portion 305 will be apparent when FIG. 26 is hereafter described. The clip body 301 of the third embodiment is intended to be stamped and formed from a monolithic piece of structural laminar sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel. Following stamping and forming, the clip body may be optionally heat treated to increase its strength and durability. Although the clip body 301 may be alternatively cast from moten metal such as aluminum, the stamped and formed version thereof is likely to far less expensive to manufacture. As a second alternative, the third embodiment clip body 301 may be injection molded from a tough polymer structural thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC), or a composite material such as a structural thermoplastic compound in which is embedded structural glass or carbon fibers.

It will be noted that the clip body 301 is of generally U-shaped cross section so that it can fit over the top edge of a siding strip. The front panel 301F is also equipped with a counter-sunk aperture 306 into which a flat-head installation screw can be installed so that it passes through the siding strip and is secured into wood-fiber backing material of an exterior wall. The double-stick adhesive pad 302, which can be identical to the double-stick adhesive pad 102 of the first embodiment clip 100, has a notch 307, which provides access to the counter-sunk aperture 306.

Referring now to FIG. 19, the rear panel 301R has a circular aperture 308 through which the flat-head installation screw can pass. Although it should be clear that a notch, or other such opening, can be substituted for the circular aperture 308, the circular aperture 308 is preferred because a lower portion of the rear panel 301R below the circular aperture 308 aids in distributing the load on the siding strip. If the siding is made from cementious material, distribution of the load may prevent the siding strip from shattering when the third embodiment clip 300 and an associated siding strip are attached to the sheathing of an exterior wall.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the double-stick adhesive pad 302 is shown adhered to the front panel 301F of the clip body 301.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 through 25, the third embodiment universal siding installation clip 300 is shown in various projectional views. It will be noted that the double-stick adhesive pad 302 extends outwardly from the front panel 301F so that it can adhere to the rear surface of an overlapping sliding strip. It should be mentioned that the outer surface of the double-stick adhesive pad 102 is covered with an easily-removable protector sheet (not shown) that protects the outer surface of the adhesive pad 302 from dust, dirt, oils, and other contaminants from the time of manufacture until just before the overlapping siding strip is installed. The protector sheet on each siding installation clip 300 associated with a single siding strip is removed just before an overlapping siding strip is installed.

Referring now, in particular, to FIG. 25, if a stamping and forming process is employed to fabricate the third embodiment clip body 301, the bottom edges 309 and 310 of the front and rear panels 301F and 301R, respectively may be brought together slightly more closely than as shown so that the front and rear panels 301F and 301R must be spread apart slightly in order to install the clip 300 on the upper edge of a siding strip. Such a feature would maintain each clip 300 properly positioned on the siding strip until each clip 300 and the associated siding strip can be secured to the sheathing of an exterior wall with a screw or ring-shank nail. In addition, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the gap 311 between the front panel 301F and the rear panel 301R can be adjusted to accommodate siding material of varying thickness. Most siding material varies in thickness between about 0.375 inch to about 0.75 inch. This, of course, would require a different mold for producing clips of a particular size.

Referring now to FIG. 26, an exterior wall structure includes a floor joist 2601, a plywood subfloor 2602, a plate stud 2603, a vertical stud 2604, outer wood-fiber backing sheet 2605, which may be plywood, waferboard, or other similar material, and an inner wall panel 2606. Four second embodiment universal siding installation clips 200-A, 200-B, 200-C and 200-D are shown, in combination with four associated siding strips 2607-A, 2607-B, 2607-C and 2607-D are also shown in this view. Each of the clips 200 has been slid over the top edge of an associated siding strip 2607 and the clip 200 and associated siding strip 2607 have been secured to the wood fiber backing material 2605 with a wood screw 2608-A, 2608-B, 2608-C or 2608-D. Each wood screw 2608 is installed in the counter sunk aperture 206, passes through the siding strip 2607, then through the notch 207 in the rear panel 201R, and then into the wood fiber backing sheet 2605. The siding installation clips 200 create a rear air gap 2609 behind the siding strips, as well as an overlapping air gap 2610 between each overlapped pair of siding strips 2607. These gaps enable siding structure to breathe so that moisture trapped behind the siding strips 2607 can escape and, thereby, prevent trapped moisture from rotting the wood fiber backing sheet 2605. This drawing clearly illustrates the reason why the rear panel 201R is tapered. Were it not tapered, there would be a lack of support for the siding strip where the wood screws 2608 exit the rear panel. For siding made of cemtious material, the stress imposed at the screw securing locations might well be sufficient to bow and shatter the siding strip. The feature applies to the first embodiment clip 100 and the third embodiment siding clip 300, as well. All three embodiment perform the same function. The three embodiments different only in appearance, cost of manufacture and, possibly, in the materials from which they are fabricated. Any of the three embodiments may be successfully used to secure overlapping strip siding and achieve the same goals, which are to avoid visible face nailing of the strips and to provide ventillation which eliminates the long-term accumulation of moisture and resulting damage to the structure.

Although only two embodiments of the universal siding installation clip are shown, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A universal mounting clip for installation of siding strips in a horizontal, overlapping pattern comprises: a unitized clip body of U-shaped cross section having a front panel, a rear panel, and an interconnecting top panel, said body sized to fit over an upper edge of an associated siding strip, and said front panel having an aperture sized to accept a securing screw which passes through the siding strip and anchors the clip and siding strip to exterior wood fiber wall sheeting; and at least one double-stick adhesive pad, one major surface of which is bonded to an outer surface of the front panel of said body, the other major surface exposed to bond to a rear surface of an overlapping siding strip.
 2. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein said unitized clip body is made from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, injection-molded structural plastic and composite materials.
 3. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein said rear panel is equipped with an opening aligned with the aperture, and through which the securing screw passes after passing through the associated siding strip.
 4. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels have beveled inner edges to facilitate the installation of the clip body on an associated siding strip.
 5. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the rear panel is tapered in thickness so as to provide support for the back side of an associated siding strip with minimal stress on the strip when secured to the wood fiber sheeting of an exterior wall.
 6. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein said at least one double-stick adhesive pad is die cut from 3M VHB double-stick adhesive tape.
 7. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein said clip body is stamped and formed as a monolithic structure from structural sheet metal, and wherein said rear panel is provided with corrugations of increasing depth so as to provide a rear panel which linearly increases in thickness from top to bottom.
 8. The universal mounting clip of claim 4, wherein the front and rear panels have a separation distance adjacent the beveled edges that is less than the separation distance where they are attached to the top, this reduced separation distance providing an interference fit of the clip on the siding strip after installation thereon.
 9. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the front panel is sufficiently thick to provide adequate ventilation between overlapping siding strips, yet sufficiently thin to prevent wasps and yellow jackets from crawling between overlapped siding strips.
 10. The universal mounting clip of claim 2, wherein said body is made of injection molded polymers selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVD and polycarbonate.
 11. A universal mounting clip for installation of siding strips in a horizontal, overlapping pattern comprises: a unitized clip body of U-shaped cross section having a front panel, a rear panel, and an interconnecting top panel, said body sized to fit over an upper edge of an associated siding strip; an anchoring screw which is run through said front panel, through the associated siding strip, through the back panel, and into the exterior wood fiber wall sheeting; and at least one double-stick adhesive pad, one major surface of which is bonded to an outer surface of the front panel of said body, the other major surface exposed to bond to a rear surface of an overlapping siding strip.
 12. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein said unitized clip body is made from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, injection-molded structural plastic and composite materials.
 13. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein said front panel is equipped with an aperture through which the anchoring screw passes, and said rear panel is equipped with an opening that is aligned with the aperture, and through which the securing screw passes after passing through the associated siding strip.
 14. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein the front and rear panels have beveled inner edges to facilitate the installation of the clip body on an associated siding strip.
 15. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein the rear panel is tapered in thickness so as to provide support for the back side of an associated siding strip with minimal stress on the strip when secured to the wood fiber sheeting of an exterior wall.
 16. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein said at least one double-stick adhesive pad is die cut from 3M VHB double-stick adhesive tape.
 17. The universal mounting clip of claim 1, wherein said clip body is stamped and formed as a monolithic structure from structural sheet metal, and wherein said rear panel is provided with corrugations of increasing depth so as to provide a rear panel which linearly increases in thickness from top to bottom.
 18. The universal mounting clip of claim 14, wherein the front and rear panels have a separation distance adjacent the beveled edges that is less than the separation distance where they are attached to the top, this reduced separation distance providing an interference fit of the clip on the siding strip after installation thereon.
 19. The universal mounting clip of claim 11, wherein the front panel is sufficiently thick to provide adequate ventilation between overlapping siding strips, yet sufficiently thin to prevent wasps and yellow jackets from crawling between overlapped siding strips.
 20. The universal mounting clip of claim 12, wherein said body is made of injection molded polymers selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVD and polycarbonate. 